Gazprom Neft has entered into an agreement with the Novosibirsk Oblast on supplying modern, high-technology bitumens for the region’s highways network, as well as supporting import substitution in lubricants and service fluids. The document was signed by Alexander Dyukov, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board, Gazprom Neft, and the Governor of the Novosibirsk Oblast, Andrey Travnikov.

Under the terms of this Agreement Gazprom Neft will increase supplies of road bitumens, innovative polymer—bitumen binders and other high-technology products to the Novosibisrk Oblast — the company having supplied the region’s road-building industry with 90,000 tonnes of bitumen binders for the construction and reconstruction of the region’s transport network in 2018, an eight-percent increase on 2017 volumes.

Gazprom Neft bitumens and bitumen derivatives will be used in road laying on the Irtysh, Sibir and R256 (Chuysky Trakt) highways, as well as in construction and maintenance for the apron and runway at Tolmachevo airport. The agreement will be managed by Gazpromneft Bitumen Materials, with supplies delivered from Gazprom Neft’s production facilities, including the Omsk Refinery — the largest, and one of the most technologically advanced refineries in Russia.

Research and development initiatives are also planned under the agreement, including joint R&D and laboratory testing at Gazprom Neft’s specialist centre in Ryazan, with the outcomes to be used in developing bitumen and asphalt formulations specially adapted to local climate and road-usage conditions, and utilising local aggregates (ballast stone and sand).

The agreement also envisages cooperation in the import-substitution of lubricants and service fluids in the Novosibirsk Oblast. Gazpromneft Bitumen Materials, Gazprom Neft’s specialist subsidiary, will be expanding cooperation with the region’s city and municipal businesses to develop a range of high-quality engine oils meeting the standards of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers and designed to replace imported products.

Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Gazprom Neft Management Board, commented: “Gazprom Neft has been a reliable partner to the Novosibirsk Oblast for many years, implementing projects of major importance to the region, as well as the company.

The company is represented here through the largest filling-station network, and through the Gazprom Neft refuelling complex at Tolmachevo airport — certified to international standards and supplying aviation fuels to the largest Russian and international carriers. I have every confidence that the agreement signed today will ensure the successful completion of new infrastructure projects which, in turn, will allow the Novosibirsk Oblast to consolidate its status as one of the most advanced and highly-developed regions in the country.”